Marriage has great importance in all cultures. It is believed to be scared right where two individuals agree to spend their rest of lives together. In India, a person can register about their marriage under two acts of Hindu marriage act 1955 and Special marriage act 1954. Both acts have their terms and conditions that we will discuss in the later section. First, let's discuss a marriage certificate and its importance.

What is a marriage certificate? 

The marriage certificate is an important document issued by the government officials stating about the name of the couple, date, place, time, and more. This document officially declares a couple as married in the eyes of jurisdiction. Every country holds a special value for this certificate. In India, it gives you legal right for financial and legal benefits. But, to avail of these advantages, a copy of the marriage certificate is required.

What is the Importance of marriage certificate in a couple’s life?

Marriage document holds a great significance in the lives of a couple. They declare them a couple to enjoy their rights in society. If you have a marriage proof that is the marriage certificate, you can do the following things:

1. Start a joint account on the name of a couple.
2. File joint federal and state tax returns.
3. Hold rights to get family/marriage rates on necessities such as healthcare, vehicle, insurance, and more.
4. If you married, the government provides subsidies and less interest rate on home loans to women.
5. It is an important document for the safety of a woman's future, confidence, and rights in the country.

Now, we will discuss some common and government situations where one requires an original copy of the marriage document. Let’s understand it one-by-one.

When you can need an original Marriage document? – Read some common situation 

Marriage certificate not only gives a marital status in society but also a vital document for your future generation. It is an official document that helps in many situations such as:

Validate marriage by law – The government considered their marriage as legal. After that one is capable of various rights like making your wife nominee in the property, insurance, and bank account.
 
Applying for a Passport – Please note that there are some countries like the Islamic nation that doesn’t allow the entry of unmarried couple in their place. Hence, to visit such a country one needs to give their and spouse passport to the officials.

Divorce – If the couple has decided to live their life separately due to certain circumstances. They can file for divorce. But, the most important document that the legislation asked is their marriage document.

Child custody - To get the custody of their child in court, the government asked for the marriage certificate, and later the proceeding started.

Now, if you have understood the importance of marriage certificate in the lives of couples, value it. If it gets damaged or lost, get a new one so that you can take advantage of various facilities.

What is Birth Certificate ?

Birth certificate is a vital identity document as it is considered as a basis for date and facts of one’s birth. It is essential for availing multiple facilities provided by Indian Government to its citizens. A birth certificate in India is also crucial as it comprises of details such as parent’s information, their nationality, location, hospital information of their birth. 

In order to apply for a birth certificate once your child is born is quite simple. However, it can get tough it you delay beyond a certain date. A Birth certificate is allotted by the Municipal Corporation/ Municipal Council in urban areas. Whereas in rural locations, it is issued by the Tehsildar at the Taluka Level and Gram Panchayat office at the village level.

What is the Procedure to Get A New Birth Certificate ?

Step1: Download a birth certificate registration form.
Step2: Fill the entire form within 21 days of the birth of child.
Step3: If the certificate of new birth is not registered or delayed within 21 days of its occurrence, then it is finally issued after a police verification.
Step4: Once a complete verification of the birth record like place of birth, parent’s ID Proof, date, time, nursing home, etc. is finished by the registrar, then the new birth certificate is issued to the applicant.
Step5: Follow up in a couple of days post the submission of all documents to make sure it is done.
Step6: Once you provide a self-addressed envelope at the municipality office, the issued birth certificate is sent to the respective address within a span of 7-14 working days.

How much fees to be Paid for Getting Birth Certificate ?

Within the span of 21 days of the occurrence of birth, there is no registration fee for birth. The first free copy is given by the Hospital authority. However after 21-30 days of the child’s birth, Rs. 7/- is charged as a late fee. Further late fee is charged if the days are exceeded for getting a birth certificate.

What Documents you Need for Such an Application ?

Following documents are required:-

● Birth certificate of parents.
● Parent’s marriage certificates.
● A proof of birth letter in hospital.
● ID Proof of parents for verification.

Importance of Birth Certificate in India

The birth certificates is considered as a first right of a new born child. It has a key role in various aspects as mentioned below:

1. For getting enrolment in schools and colleges.
2. Age proof for jobs and employment.
3. For marriage proof.
4. In getting an application for a passport.
5. For obtaining few important documents such as Voter ID’s, Driving license, passport, etc.
6. Registration in NPR ( National Population Registrar).
7. For getting a Green Card.

Considering all these points together, we can say in a nut shell that a person without a  birth certificate is not eligible to enjoy the benefits and rights which Government of India provides to its citizens. Hence, always remember to get a new birth certificate as soon as possible just after your child birth.

What is the process to apply for the death certificate?

When a person is deceased, the government issues a death certificate, where it is a document that states the fact, date and the reason of death and it is given to the kin of the expired person. It is compulsory according to the law to register an individual’s death where it should be done with the state government and it should be registered within 21 days of a person’s death. 

The death certificate is required in order to regard the fact of legal death and also so that the expired person is relieved from any official, legal, or social obligations. The document is also used to proceed the property inheritance where through the document, the family of the deceased will be authorized towards insurance collection or performing actions stated in the will.  

What are the documents required?

The birth certificate of the deceased is required and an affidavit which mentions the time and date of the death of the person. A copy of the ration card is also required. The individual who is applying for the certificate should provide the proof of relationship with the expired person along with the proof of nationality and also an address proof. 

Where can one find the application form?

The registrar who is in charge of the Register of Deaths and the local body authority will have the application form for the death certificate. 

The evidence of death is required, which can be either received from the civil official that certified it at the burial ground or crematorium or it can also be received at a hospital where the death took place, through a hospital letter.

What is the process to apply for the death certificate? 

With the local authorities, the death is registered within 21 days since the person has expired and it is done by filling out the form which is given by the Registrar so that the Death Certificate application can be commenced. 

After proper verification is done, the death certificate is issued. 

How much is the registration fee?

 If the death registration is completed within 21 days then it is of free of cost. But from 21 days to 30 days after the person has deceased, the certification will be done by the MOH (Medical Officer, Health) where a fine of Rs 25 will be collected. 

For after 30 days to 1 year, the death certificate can be only provided by the Joint Director of Statistics, where it is with a fine of Rs 50 and also with an affidavit. 

If the kin wants to obtain the death certificate after a year of the death of the person, then he/she can gain it only from the first class magistrate where it will be a lengthy process. For this process, the applicant will require cremation certificate, cause of death certificate and affidavit. 

Can the death certificate be taken online?

 This differs from state to state where some of the states have provided the amenity of uploading the documents electronically but still, there are a lot of states which require documents to be submitted physically.